How hard do your brush your teeth? Do you scour energetically, like you’re scrubbing a cement floor? Do you brush like this several times a day, taking 10 minutes at a time to make sure you do a really thorough job? Or are you just the opposite, barely grazing your brush across your teeth in less than a minute?
Odds are, regardless of how long you spend brushing your teeth, you probably brush too forcefully. Studies show as much as 70{dcbe0cd52ce35e2f156887e14605e24111ce99c14f01d3853732956d43020bdd} of the population brush their teeth too hard. Ironically, most people have no idea they do brush too hard. Dentists concur unanimously on choosing a soft bristle brush and using gentle strokes to loosen food particles and plaque. Daily flossing is critical, and dentists recommend and ADA-approved oral rinse to deter plaque formation. Oddly, many people are lackadaisical about following their dentist’s instructions regarding oral care.
Whatever the cause, the damage incurred on tooth enamel from over brushing cannot be over stated. Two serious problems that result from brushing too hard are:
- Enamel erosion. Scrubbing thins tooth enamel. Thinner enamel increases the likelihood of cavities and tooth sensitivity. Once tooth enamel is gone, it cannot be replaced, nor does it grow back.
- Receding gums. Brushing too hard can cause gum recession, which exposes teeth roots and causes sensitivity. Receding gums can also lead to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is linked to serious health risks, including:
- Endocarditis—a form of heart disease.
- Heart attack.
- Stroke.
- Diabetes.
- Respiratory disease.
- Premature and underweight newborns.
If these facts have gotten your attention and raised your concerns, please allow your concerns move you to action. Dr. Corbet Locke’s expert staff will train you on how to correct over brushing. Dr. Locke may very well instruct you to switch to an electric toothbrush. Brushing with an electric or sonic vibration toothbrush is often gentler than manual brushing. Call Corbet Locke Dentistry today: (254) 776-4888